Purpose: Stress poses a serious risk for training surgeons since their
performance and well-being in reflected in patients’ health. This study
focuses on measuring the stress of training surgeons and at the same
time evaluates prospectively the results of an innovative program that
uses alternative techniques to combat the effects of stress. Methods:
The study was a pilot randomized controlled trial, with a duration of 6
months. Participants were allocated to a control and an intervention
group. Trainees then completed three questionnaires, quality of life,
perceived stress scale (PSS) and job content questionnaire serving as a
baseline measurement. Only the intervention group used diaphragmatic
breathing and progressive muscular relaxation techniques, twice a day,
for 20 minutes each, and for a total period of eight weeks. At the end
of the study, the same questionnaires were completed again by both
groups. Results: The sample of the study included 28 and 32 trainees in
the control and the intervention group, respectively. The Cronbach’s
alpha value for the PSS stress-measuring questionnaire was 0.772. The
intervention group presented statistically significant lower values of
stress (30.50, P < 0.05) in comparison to the control group (27.54).
Conclusion: The medical community, and especially surgeons, have been
reluctant up to now to embrace interventional programs that go beyond
the traditional use of medication in order to address stress related
issues. The positive results and feedback from small studies, such as
ours, can provide the driving force for further research that will give
us solid, evidence-based, answers
